Steve Nash Wants Dwight Howard to Remain a Laker

After a nightmarish season with the Lakers, there’s no telling if Dwight Howard will return next season. He’s certainly not giving very many hints. Dwight’s teammates seem to want him back, with Steve Nash saying that Los Angeles is the place for the soon-to-be free agent. Per the LA Daily News: “I’m very hopeful that Dwight will be back,’ Nash said. ‘I think this is the place for him. He’s in the prime of his career. He’s got his best years ahead of him. He can play for one of the greatest franchises in sports and an amazing city. This has got to be the place for him, and I’m hopeful that he sees it that way.’ Howard hasn’t publicly stated his intentions. He would earn $117.9 million with a five-year deal if he signed with the Lakers. He would earn $87.9 million over four years if he went somewhere else. Yet, plenty of Lakers, including Jodie Meeks, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark, all sounded confident Howard would return. ‘I know he loves this city. I know he loves the team,’ Meeks said. ‘We got pretty close this year as friends – from the same hometown (Atlanta). I can’t really say exactly what he’s going to do, but I know he likes the city.’ Plenty of things plagued Howard, though. He played through the entire season plagued by back surgery and a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Howard averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds, his lowest numbers since the 2006-07 season. Howard went through adjustments playing with Kobe Bryant, adapting to his domineering personality and handling the heightened media scrutiny. Howard at times, openly argued with Nash on the court over failed defensive rotations and pick-and-roll sequences. ‘Of course, you’re going to see the lows, and those are going to be highlighted,’ Nash said. ‘To me generally, it was really good. Dwight and myself formed a relationship. Dwight was a good presence throughout the year.'”